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Law
South Dakota seeks delay in Native voting case


The state of South Dakota is seeking a delay in a case where Native voting rights were violated.

On September 15, U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier found that the state violated the voting rights of Native Americans by packing residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation and the Rosebud Sioux Reservation into one district. She gave the state 45 days to come up with a new plan.

The state responded by asking for permission to delay the new plan until July 1. The state also wants Schreier to certify a question to the South Dakota Supreme Court regarding redistricting.

On behalf of tribal members, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state, saying that Indian voters could be spread across two districts where they are the majority or near-majority.

Get the Story:
S.D. asks for advice on redistricting (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 11/2)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Don't appeal Indian voting rights case (09/28)
Judge: South Dakota violated Indian voting rights (09/16)
Federal judge to issue voting rights ruling this summer (05/04)
ACLU rests case in Indian voting rights trial (04/23)
S.D. Indians testify of racism in voting rights trial (04/15)
Trial into Indian voting rights in South Dakota continues (4/14)
Trial examines Indian voting rights in South Dakota (4/13)